| Featured Article - October 2007
In The Shadow of Equus The Appeal of TREC |
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| The
sport of TREC, which was introduced to British Columbia some four years
ago by Horse Council BC, is slowly but steadily moving forward and
getting the attention of riders around the province. This low-impact,
three-phase competition is especially appealing to recreational riders
who still enjoy a competitive spirit, without the heavy stress of major
competitive events. It’s an ideal cross-over sport and an activity for
riders new to riding on trails or country roads, or in an open field.
It is also ideal for young horses starting out in competition or for
horses coming back from injury or sickness. TREC, or le TREC, originated in France some 30-plus years ago where it is known by its French name: Technique de Randonnee Equestre de Competition. Essentially, it is a navigational competition on horseback. The three phases of TREC were originally developed to test the expertise of professional back country guides for the very popular horseback tourism industry in France. The testing appealed so much to equestrian tourists that it developed into a sport. From France, TREC quickly spread to other western European countries, the United Kingdom, Argentina, Tunisia, parts of the United States, and into Quebec. The sport has its own international governing body, the Fédération Internationale de Tourisme Equestre (FITE). TREC is a three-phase competition based on a penalty point scoring system. Phase 1 is Speed and Orienteering, which is a distance ride at a set speed, with a staggered start and an optimum finish time. Riders start with 240 points and a penalty point is deducted for each minute the rider returns early or late. There are no flags or markers to help riders around the course which, at the lower levels, may be five to ten kilometres and progressively longer and more challenging through the intermediate and higher levels. Riders navigate with the aid of a map, the route having been copied from the master map at the registration desk. There may be check points along the way, although riders are not aware of their location at the outset. Only by arriving at a check point do riders know that they have navigated correctly. Phase 2 is Control of Paces, sort of the dressage of this sport. A two-metre-wide corridor, either 75 metres or, for higher levels, 150 metres, is used. Riders must canter as slowly as possible in the outward direction and walk as fast as possible on the return without breaking gait, stopping, or going outside the corridor markers. They are judged strictly on time to the second. Maximum scores are 30 points each way for a total of 60 points in this phase. |
Phase 3 is the Cross Country
Obstacles Course which is a series
of 16 obstacles each with a maximum of ten points to be negotiated in a
set time. They simulate challenges encountered in a back country ride
and include log jumps, inclines, declines, S-bends, immobility,
mounting on the wrong side, rein back, walking through narrow paths,
low branches, and bending. TREC is all about safety, and compulsory equipment to be packed on the horse for the distance ride includes first aid kits for both horse and rider, a whistle, compass, flashlight, and map marking pen (for use when copying the course from the master map). An equi-type boot is required for higher levels. Clothing includes a reflective or fluorescent jacket and rain gear. TREC for Drivers TREC is just as appealing to carriage drivers — although the structure of each of the phases is a little different. Drivers start out with 50 points. Phase 1 is the Safety Presentation in which the horse, carriage, and spares kit are inspected for safety and completeness. Penalty points are deducted from the original 50 and the balance is rolled over into Phase 2, the Drive. This is a distance drive along country roads (or trails that can safely accommodate the width of a carriage). The course includes a compulsory walk section. Like the riders, it is a staggered start with a set speed and an optimum return time with penalty points deducted for returning each minute early or late. Different speeds are set for a horse/large pony division and a division for small ponies/miniatures. Phase 3 is the Skills in which drivers negotiate an obstacle course of eight to ten obstacles, including serpentines, gates, an L-shape, inclines, declines, immobility, cones, rein back, and a narrow passageway. Each is scored out of ten marks. The first Canadian TREC competition for drivers was held this year at Kikkuli Farm — it is possible that it was the first TREC driving competition in North America. This year, the TREC Equestrian Association of British Columbia was registered. Its directors are Margaret Evans (Chilliwack), Michelle Vander Vlis (Chilliwack), Deborah Flinn (Duncan), Angela Zimmerling (Langley) and Eric Chong (Langley). A website is planned and membership, activities, competitions, and a newsletter will be featured as soon as it is up and running. Winter clinics are being planned for the Fraser Valley/Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island, and the Interior. For more information on TREC and upcoming activities, please contact Margaret Evans at 604-824-9394, or email earthway@uniserve.com. Read Margaret Evans' column "In The Shadow Of Equus" each month in Pacific & Prairie Horse Journal
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